Author Archives: wallwritings

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About wallwritings

From 1972 through 1999, James M. Wall was editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine, based in Chicago, lllinois. He was a Contributing Editor of the Century from 1999 until July, 2017. He has written this blog, wall writings.me, since it was launched April 27, 2008. If you would like to receive Wall Writings alerts when new postings are added to this site, send a note, saying, Please Add Me, to jameswall8@gmail.com Biography: Journalism was Jim's undergraduate college major at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. He has earned two MA degrees, one from Emory, and one from the University of Chicago, both in religion. He is an ordained United Methodist clergy person. He served for two years in the US Air Force, and three additional years in the USAF reserve. While serving on active duty with the Alaskan Command, he reached the rank of first lieutenant. He has worked as a sports writer for both the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, was editor of the United Methodist magazine, Christian Advocate for ten years, and editor and publisher of the Christian Century magazine for 27 years. James M Wall died March 22, 2021 at age 92. His family appreciates all of his readers, even those who may have disagreed with his well-informed writings.

Israel Lobby Smears Ambassador Freeman with Angry Distortions

by James M. Wall The MSM (Main Stream Media) still has not noticed, but the Israel Lobby is out in full force to scuttle the appointment of Ambassador Charles W. Freeman as the new chairman of the National Intelligence Council. … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections | 5 Comments

Why Israel War Backers Are Unhappy With Obama for Considering Freeman For NIC

by James M. Wall     In his new book, The Inheritance, David E. Sanger describes the impact of a 140-page NIC-produced National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on the Bush White House just before Thanksgiving, 2007. The report was not what the … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics, Politics and Elections | 6 Comments

There is Joy in Mudville! Samantha Power Now Batting for the Obama Team

by James M. Wall Samantha Power first gained national attention with her 2003 Pulitzer Prize winning book, From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide.  Then Senator and future President Barack Obama read the book. In 2005 he invited the 38 … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics | 2 Comments

Tom Geoghegan Is A Progressive Running to Replace Rahm Emanuel In Illinois’ Fifth; He Could Win

Update: Thursday, February 19: Tom Geoghegan has just been endorsed in the Fifth District Democratic primary by Democrats for America (DFA).   By James M. Wall                             … Continue reading

Posted in Politics and Elections | 3 Comments

A Good Samaritan Comes Upon a Homeless Woman; She is Homeless No More

by James M. Wall There are not many “good news” stories in politics these days.  But a Florida woman, Henrietta Hughes, was central to one of the few “good news” moments that reached national attention in Fort Myers Thursday. Huffington Post … Continue reading

Posted in Religion and politics, The Human Condition | Leave a comment

Helen Thomas is Back and Obama Has Her; Now What Does He Do?

by James M. Wall Update on Sam Stein of Huffington Post,  Below: It was yet another sign that the Bush years are over when 48 minutes into his first White House presidential press conference, President Obama turned to Helen Thomas, … Continue reading

Posted in Politics and Elections | 3 Comments

Tom Harkin and Raul M. Grijalva Push Howard Dean for HHS

by James M. Wall I first met Howard Dean during the early days of his 2004 run for the presidency. He struck me then, as he does now, as a passionate man with progressive ideas, a politician willing to take … Continue reading

Posted in Media, Politics and Elections | 2 Comments

Mitchell’s Two Big Problems: Israel Attempts to Ban Arab Political Parties as Lieberman Grows Stronger

Updated (February 5) by James M. Wall                         Obama envoy George Mitchell faces two big problems in his effort to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israelis … Continue reading

Posted in Middle East Politics | 4 Comments

A Sad Reminder from Illinois:”Money is the mother’s milk of politics”

By James M. Wall Listening to the 59 Illinois state senators solemnly repeat their “yes” vote to remove Governor Rod Blagojevich  from office, one had to wonder: How many of them thought, “there but for the grace of God go I”? Everyone … Continue reading

Posted in Politics and Elections, Religion and politics | 5 Comments

In “Waltz With Bashir” Art Connects Gaza to Sabra and Shatila

  by James M. Wall             Waltz With Bashir, an animated documentary film by Israeli Director Ari Folman, arrived in U.S. theaters during the recent Israeli invasion of Gaza.  During the invasion, Gary Kamiya wrote … Continue reading

Posted in -Movies and politics, Middle East Politics, Movies | Leave a comment